The Commons 1854

Everything was absolutely perfect from the minute guests arrived at the door to the time of their departure. Johanna and her staff were just simply amazing. Every detail was impeccably covered. The place card table and ballroom were set up perfectly. The appetizers and antipasto table were delicious and guests never had to look around wondering when the next tray would be passed. Drinks were brought around on trays, guests were met at the door, those in need of assistance were easily ushered up the stair lift and it seemed that nothing could be better until we arrived in the ballroom. It was magnificent! The food was absolutely delicious and every guest was catered to.

Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I stressed in weeks prior about every scenario. The minute I arrived at The Commons, all my worries were dispersed and I knew it was time to have fun and leave everything in their hands. I had no doubt they had it all under control. I was so impressed that Johanna, our wedding coordinator, could be in so many places at the same time and amazed at how she covered even the smallest details. She is a true professional and her elegance was noted by so many of our guests.

The compliments could continue on and on. I was so pleased with the espresso bar, the desert station, the cordial cart and the presentation of the candy bar was just beyond words! The Commons is a first-class party venue and I would highly recommend them without hesitation. Whenever I called or emailed, Kristi or Johanna answered my questions without hesitation and always kept us on schedule. I have had so many guests call me to comment on what a beautiful wedding and venue. It is without doubt that the reputation of The Commons for outstanding service is well earned and will continue to grow with each function.

I could not be happier having had my wedding at The Commons. Everything was absolutely perfect, from the beautiful venue, the professional wait staff, our planner Kristi and Maura who was there for me during the whole wedding. The planning process leading up to the day was also so easy. I had someone there for all my questions every step of the way. In regards to the actual wedding day, our guests are still talking about how amazing the venue and everyone was during the whole day. Any time I needed anything Kristi and Maura were there to help. They also made sure that both my mother and my husband's mother were attended to as well. In the middle of the reception my bustle broke, within seconds Kristi had me in another room with a few other people fixing it so I could go back out and enjoy myself. It was incredible. This venue is definitely top notch and one that I would recommend to anyone.

Everyone and everything at the Commons is great! We dealt mostly with Johanna and she is the best! She is very professional and did not miss a beat at our reception. Thanks again for a great time! I wish I could do it all over again!

I wish I could give the Commons a 10. I am taking all emotion out of this review (or, at least trying to haha) so that I can give a clear and objective response.

My fiance and I looked online at venues and came across the Commons. In October 2010 we took a ride over and fell in love with the large yet simultaneously quaint venue not even realizing what we were about to walk into. Once we opened the doors our breaths were taken. And that was only the beginning. The structure alone is a reason to have your wedding at the Commons but the service - is what makes it unique and a stand out event.

Frank greeted us the first time we visited and showed us around the venue, sat us down and sold us on his animated story telling of the food preparation. We knew immediately that's where we were getting married. From that point on we shared conversations with both Kristi and Johanna to get us comfortable with all the planning and logistics. They were both extremely pleasant and helpful and VERY flexible. Matt (my husband) and I could not get over just how lucky we were to have such amazing help and management. They helped us figure out what we needed for Alcohol (though we ignored it and got far more than we needed HAHA), a signature drink, and without giving too much away, they were flexible on many things :)

The day of the wedding (here's the emotion) was AMAZING. absolutely AMAZING. A nice surprise - Johanna was relaxed - in a way that makes you feel comfortable. In a way that says " I've done this many times, I know how to run this show and everything will be fine and perfect" and that it was. She welcomed everyone with a huge smile and provided direction for all the guests, vendors and servers.

I have worked weddings and I know how much work goes into it. It's a matter of coordinating everyone's efforts in a certain timely manner. Johanna did this all smoothly, professionally and yet warmly. It didn't feel like a business, it felt like a wedding that even the servers WANTED to be part of.

My friends and family all complimented how smooth the service was, how ever staff member was smiling and polite, how AMAZING the food was, and how beautiful the venue. Nothing was missed and everything was appreciated. I wouldn't have changed a thing or asked for anything better, I really don't think it could have been better.

From the minute my husband and I walked through the doors to the last goodbye 5 days after the wedding we were treated with a warm and friendly respect.

Thank you everyone at the Commons for providing and participating in the best day of my life :)

Our November wedding at The Commons exceeded every expectation that we had, which says a lot because we had high expectations going into it.
The venue itself was just amazing. The Commons seems to be crafted for romantic, fall weddings, and it fulfilled all of our wishes this November. The staff working our wedding expertly flipped the ballroom (from ceremony to reception), attended to our guests during cocktail hour, and served a wonderful dinner. The food was top-notch, something that many guests commented on both during and after our wedding. From the appetizers to the main plates to the cookies as we walked out the door, everything was delicious. For such a special day, The Commons is a wonderful place to have your wedding, especially if you’re looking for people who will take care of your every request!
Johanna was our wedding coordinator, and I cannot say enough about her professionalism and aptitude throughout the whole process. She was always prompt to respond to questions that I had leading up to the wedding, and she carefully attended to every detail so that the actual wedding day would go off without a hitch. That was all before the wedding. On the actual day, she was phenomenal. My bridal party commented on multiple occasions about how awesome she was in dealing with everyone prior to the ceremony. There was a transportation snafu getting the guests to and from the hotel, and she quietly and competently dealt with it, so that neither myself or my bridal party had to worry about it. She constantly had her eye out to make sure everything was running smoothly, and because of her, it did! What an absolute pleasure to work with her.
I actually cannot think of anything bad or even constructive to say about our experience at The Commons. I wouldn’t call it a budget venue, but it’s worth every penny. One awesome part is that you are responsible for providing the liquor which, in the long run, saved us a lot of money (compared to venues that charge you for per-person open bar). We were very satisfied and comfortable knowing that the staff at The Commons and our wonderful coordinator had everything under control, and ultimately, that allowed us to truly sit back and enjoy our beautiful day!

This is a very beautiful, historic and Sophisticated venue for a wedding in any season. The food well exceeded all expectations and all the staff were professional and confident.

The Commons 1854 povided the PERFECT venue for our wedding! We coulld not have asked for a more perfect spot than this beautiful historic New England Meeting House! Not only was the venue beautiful, but the service was outstanding through the entire process. We never had to think, 2nd guess, or worry about any minute leading up to our special day and during the day itself! Johanna, Kristi, and Frank know how to put on the perfect wedding and meet your every need. We had a fantastic time and knew from the moment we walked into the building that this was the right place for us! Thank you for everything Johanna, Kristi, and Frank!

Robin was our fantastic wedding coordinator who worked closely with us to make sure our reception was fantastic. The Commons was not only beautiful but the service was exceptional. We are so glad we chose to host our first party as husband and wife at The Commons.

There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe our experience with The Commons for my daughter's wedding! Attention to detail was everywhere, food was excellent- people still commenting on the portion sizes- Johanna was in control of everything and is the consummate professional. Wish we had another wedding to do so we could do it all again with this venue. Thank you to everyone there!!!

I was so incredibly happy with my wedding at the Topsfield Commons. The planning was made easy by Johanna, the wonderful and detail-oriented wedding planner. The space is beautiful, the food was delicious, the staff was amazing. I have no complaints! Now I just want to be invited to another wedding there so I can enjoy the space, food, and drinks without being the bride!

Classic New England Elegance

Beautiful, historic venue. The food (especially the passed h'orderves) was amazing. The staff was professional, friendly and attentive. Robin O'Keefe was a great help with day of coordination and pre-wedding planning. Their preferred vendors truly lived up to their recommendations and our expectations. Everything was wonderful, we had an unforgetable evening! Thank you!

Our first time visiting the Commons we were captured by the beautiful architecture. The ballroom, balcony and brightness from the white space is beautiful. This wonderful white space also allows you to add your own color scheme, and family photos so that you can truly personalize it.
It was our pleasure working with Frank, Kristi and Johanna. Frank is extremely enthusiastic and has a sincere commitment to providing quality service at this establishment. Kristi was always so positive, reassuring, reliable and gave great guidance in choosing our vendors. We primarily worked with Johanna who I can’t rave about enough. She was there to help us every step of the way in the planning process and made it a stress-free experience. Johanna gave wonderful advice and always responded to phone calls and emails in a timely manner. The day of the wedding she truly took care of us making sure we had everything we needed. Our guests raved about the delicious food, professional service and called it “THE Wedding”. The Commons made our wedding day everything we dreamed it would be.

Everything was perfect! Great venue!

I cannot say enough positive things about The Commons. They went above and beyond to make our wedding perfect. Everything from beginning to end was wonderful. From the day I first visited The Commons, I knew that it was the place for me. Frank, the owner, has such a pride and a passion for his business that you know that he will do everything in his power to make things perfect. Johanna, the planner on site, worked with me throughout planning and on wedding day to create the day of my dreams. Johanna, Kristi and the staff that worked with them are worth their weight in gold. This was evident when a less reliable vender did not return my calls the week of the wedding and we did not know if we had a cake. Johanna helped me order a cake at 8:00AM wedding day and then picked it up and delivered it to The Commons! She and her team handled every crisis, big or small, throughout the planning process in a way that put me at ease. The second that I stepped out of the limo at The Commons, I knew that I could relax.

The outdoor ceremony (just before the rain) was beautiful and well organized. The grounds and building are gorgeous. Frank always seems to be making improvements such as the beautiful brick walkway that now serves as the aisle. The pictures speak for themselves.

The food was amazing. I’m sure that we will be hearing about the sushi bar for years to come! Dinner was delicious. The beef was cooked perfectly and the garlic-mashed potatoes were to die for. The service was exceptional. There was not that awkward wait time between courses that can occur at some wedding.

My wedding was the day that I have always dreamed of because of the wonderful people at the Topsfield Commons.

I was married at The Common's back on October of 2005. I happened to be on this website because I am doing some research a family member when I came across these reviews. After reading a review from "Caroyn" I just had to respond as I am totally shocked with the poor review given to both the Commons and coordinator there. Before booking my own wedding, I had gone to 2 other functions there and I found it to be impeccable each time. When we finally set the date for our wedding, there was no other place that would do but the Commons.

I don't know who she had for her coordinator, I'm guessing Tamie, as she is the most requested coordinator there (I did my research, I contacted references). She did my wedding and it went off without a hitch. I couldn't have asked for a better day or coordinator to get me through it without stressing. She was there when I got there with my girls to get dressed until the last guest left the hall. I not only got complements on the day and the hall, I have received calls from family members wanting to know if I hired her personally or just exclusive with the Commons, she was that good. She was certainly deserving of the $300 tip we gave her for going above and beyond but I was told what I thought was above and beyond was simply Tamie, doing here job. Unprofessional would not be a word used to describe her as she showed such professionalism to our wedding party and guests.

And this woman is complaining that the coordinator had dinner with the staff? Both the coordinator and staff are there for a better part of the entire day/night, long before the guests arrive to assure that you have the best possible day for your wedding and they are there well after everyone is gone. In my eyes, stealing away for a 10 minute for a quick bite to eat (probably cold food) is the least we can allow in return for rolling out an absolutely perfect wedding day.

It sounds like I am taking this review personally and I do. I had such a perfect day there and I would love for other brides to experience the joy I had on that day and with a review like that, people might thing twice. I hope that negative review doesn't hinder anyone from checking it out for themselves, and go and walk the grounds and talk with the staff and you'll see that this woman totally got it wrong.

My sister got married here in 2006 so I chose The Commons because we were highly satisfied the first time around. I looked at different venues and I could not find the quality and value, like I did at the commons. The place is beautiful and there is an opportunity to be creative with your theme. The staff is super professional, white glove service. The food is spectactular! My guests keep talking about how good the food was and some guests even commented on how they have never tasted food that good at a wedding. The most important thing is the quantity, you didn't leave the wedding hungry, like some weddings I've been to. My wedding planner, Johanna, was super professional and she was so accomodating and flexible during the whole planning process. Johanna also looked out for me the whole time during the wedding, making sure I had everything I needed. I highly recommend this place! I am very pleased and satified with every aspect!

We had our wedding reception at the Commons May 7th. Besides the rain that day, it was the most wonderful, perfect day!! After our first visit to the Commons, and after meeting with Kristi, I knew there was no other venue that I would want to celebrate our marriage!!! Kristi, Frank & Johanna are fabulous!! They were very quick to respond to any questions we had, and Johanna made the planning so easy for us - I never felt stressed or overwhelmed. Johanna made sure that each second during our reception was flawless! Each day we receive more compliments about how wonderful our wedding was - from the beautiful venue, to the great food. I can't say enough good things about the Commons, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding day :)

The Commons provided us with an absolutely flawless, amazing experience. From A to Z, I was impressed with each step of the way. People asked me along the way things like "oh, how is planning going...you must be so stressed" and I really was not at all. It was fun! Working with The Commons absolutely contributed to my low stress attitude since I trusted all that was going on and the staff was so friendly, accessible, knowledgeable, and genuine. Our wedding guests went out of their way to compliment the quality of the venue, service, staff, ambiance...
My wedding honestly exceeded my expectations and I would recommend this venue to any lucky bride:)

The Commons is a perfect location for a wedding. The staff well organized and very knowledgeable. They are availabe for any questions or concerns about any wedding details. They make sure that your special day is special for you and not a cookie cutter event. They food is fantastic, the environment is gorgeous, and the grounds are perfect for photos. We couldn't have found a better place to have our ceremony and reception.

What an absolutely amazing wedding and being in the industry makes us hard to impress. From start to finish everything was perfect; not one detail was missed. The staff and service were above exceptional all night and the food was everything we hoped and more. The management and staff are professional truly define hospitality.

My wife and I, and all of our guests had an absolute blast. Everyone we talked to said it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to by far. Topsfield Commons is a gem.

AMAZING!!!After visiting multiple local wedding venues,which we found were pricer, when we walked through the doors of The Common's in Topsfield, we knew this was it! The genuine customer service we received from Frank, Kristi, and especially Johanna at all times blew us away! Having worked in customer service myself for many years, the service we all received was the best of the best we felt. I as a bride, had no worries that speical night in December. Johanna had all vendor communication done before I walked in the door that evening. She was relax and outgoing leaving me with no worries. I was so impressed by the attention to detail Johanna displayed! She personally put rose petals down the ceremony aisle and stopped in the bridal sweet on multiple occasions to see if we needed anything! Johanna came to the rescue with her sewing kit when a rip was dicovered on my dress 30 minutes before walking down the aisle! She managed to be there whenever I needed a tissue, and to guide us through the night. She even fixed my makeup foundation at one point! It was almost as if she was reading my mind! We all had so much fun! At the end of the night, Johanna appeared before us with tall glasses of ice water with lemon for my husband and I! WoW! Far too often more people complain rather than give compliments. The Commons bridal consultant Johanna, and staff have set the bar for customer service. I as well as those whom attended the wedding can not say enough great things! Since the wedding I continously receive numerous compliments about the waitstaff, how wonderful the food tasted, and how beautiful the venue appeared inside and outside. The Commons left us with wonderful memories!

Our wedding was in November 2010. I loved every moment of planning our wedding because of the attention and help that we got from The Commons staff. Every meeting was a pleasure and they made everything so easy. I felt confident that we has a freat team making our day special. I recommend The Commons to couples looking for a special venue site that offers a beautiful site, amazing food, and great people to work with!

I can't begin to say enough good things about the Commons!! I loved the venue from the moment we went to look and knew this was where we wanted to have our wedding. Johanna and Kristi were VERY helpful throughout the planning process- they are great with returning phone calls and emails, helping to make decisions along the way and when narrowing down the menu. Also, the night of the wedding Johanna kept everything organized and flowed perfectly! The food... was delicious! Our guests are still telling us how fabulous the food and venue were. Most of all I think The Commons is beautiful both inside and out. It really has a classic New England feel to it. The weather unfortunately did not cooperate the day of our wedding but it really didnt matter. We ended up doing our professional photos upstairs in the reception room and they came out beautiful! I highly recommend the Commons to other couples!

My 10.10.10 wedding at the commons was AMAZING!!! The food was to die for and the service was exceptional! The grounds are perfect for outdoor pictures and the inside has a warm feeling to it! Their up lighting package and paper lanterns were an amazing touch for a night time wedding!

We could not have been happier with how perfect our wedding turned out at Topsfield Commons. The setting is beautiful and unique, and the staff made sure no detail was overlooked. From the day we first visited, we knew this was the place. The owners, Frank and Kristi, were incredibly helpful and their passion for what they do is apparent the minute you walk in the door. So much thanks is due to Johanna – she is extraordinary at what she does! We were in contact from the beginning of the planning process to the very end of the night and she made sure everything turned out better than expected. Our guests raved about the food, the atmosphere, the service and all noted how naturally the evening flowed from one moment to the next. Working with everyone here was a pleasure and as the busy bride, I knew I could relax because our day was in such good hands. This place is really the whole package and they created a truly special day that we will never forget!

I have heard nothing but wonderful things about our wedding reception! The overall response was that our wedding reception was very "elegant" and "tasteful". The food was excellent and my guests have described the steak as "melting in your mouth" good! We knew from the day we went there for the first time, that it was the place for us. Almost as easily as we knew we were right for each other. The thing that sealed the deal for me, is Frank and Kristi's passion about their business. You can see that they actually really enjoy what they do!! With the expense of a reception these days, that was important to me. Johanna was also very knowledgeable, helpful, and patient! The waitstaff was very attentive and courteous! Thank you Topsfield Commons...my 7-10-10 wedding was my dream come true!!! :-)

Absolutely amazing! They are truely wonderful in all aspects of the word. The Commons was the first and only venue I looked at. I knew from my first meeting that this was the place because of the vibe. Frank, Kristi, and Johanna are beyond words! The food is incredible, the atmosphere is so cozy and intimate, and they have the best staff imaginable. Before I got married I heard only good things from everyone that has mentioned it. Their faces light up and say they had the best time at any wedding there. My guests as well felt the same and so did me, my husband, and my family. The Commons is EXCELLENT! The made my wedding experience a pleasurable and memorable one!

My daughter, Deanna’s, June wedding was PERFECT! The staff was delightful and accommodating. The food was excellent! You can involve whatever vendors you wish, but the vendors recommended by The Commons were all FABULOUS! Frank was so attentive to everyone, that he accommodated a guest with allergies, by bringing something unique and delicious from the kitchen. Johanna is absolutely charming and incredible. Communication was always prompt; she never made me feel a question was ridiculous. Her attention to details was evident everywhere, and she made it look effortless. If there was something we should have been concerned with…we never even knew it. It should have been stressful, but it wasn’t; everything just flowed. Johanna, Frank, and Kristi navigated our family through the night with foresight, grace and compassion.

I grew up in Topsfield, and used to go to “Sunday school” in the building that is now “The Commons”. It did not look like it does now! Frank and Kristi have created a charming New England venue. There was plenty of space for our 100+ wedding. It was elegant and tasteful. The grounds also made a gorgeous back-drop for professional photos.

Every component took place at this venue; I love that the ceremony and reception were in the same place. “The Commons” only books one wedding on your day/night. Frank, Kristi and Johanna were there through everything, from the very beginning to the very end. It is a family owned business, and it is evident that they are passionate about what they do. They take pride in the beautiful venue they have created, which is what makes this the most FABULOUS place to have your “dream wedding”.

Our guests are still talking about it! I know of at least one guest, who’s relative has booked her wedding at The Commons. In every photograph, people are smiling, laughing and having a wonderful time. Several people have commented that it is the nicest wedding they have been to.

The first venue that my daughter and I looked at was The Topsfield Commons. It was also the last. We knew there was no need to look anywhere else! It was a perfect “dream wedding”, and a night we will never forget. I can’t thank you enough!

THANK YOU!

Paula and Bob Curcio
Deanna and Danay Pangnathip

Johanna and Frank were amazing!!! Every detail was given a 110% in the work they did. The Commons is an amazing place and not many people seem to know about them. The Prices are unbelievable and their food is unforgetable. We ordered steaks for our guest and no one needed a steak knife to cut them(they used forks) that is how amazing the food was cooked. I cannot express in words how happy I was. The commons makes sure that the brides and grooms have no stress on their big day and Frank(the owner) is there for every wedding to make sure everything goes smoothly from the waiters dressed properly to the last coat being put on at the end of the night. It is truely an amazing place.

The Commons did a tremendous job of making my wedding day absolutely perfect. The staff were extremely accomodating and professional and went above and beyond to make sure every last detail was in place. It is without a doubt that this is one of the top venues to have your wedding on the North Shore!!!

The food was amazing, the service was great, the atmosphere of the commons is beautiful and the coordinators were comprehensively knowledgeable and helpful. It really was the best night of our lives- one we will remember forever!

I think everyone did an OUTSTANDING job the day of the wedding to the make sure that everything went smoothly. The service was incredible, the facility was beautiful and is kept immaculate by a staff and ownership that take great pride in what they do. The Commons is a class business with high standards and a proven model for a perfect wedding.

I can't say enough great things about the Commons. From the staff to the food everything was fantastic. I have been to a lot of weddings and nothing has compared to the service, professionalism, food...everything. My guest have all said the same thing..."awesome wedding and awesome venue". They made my dream wedding come true.

I just got married at The Commons in late November and I have to say I had my dream wedding at the perfect place.
My Fiancé and I first toured The Commons a year and a half ago, in July, and met with one of the owners, Frank. (Frank & Kristi are the owners and are husband & wife) We loved the place right away. It was inviting and had the charm we were looking for - a classic New England feel and look on the outside; warm and inviting on the inside, with 3 fireplaces, hardwood floors and a grand ballroom with high ceilings. I visited one other place to compare and was instantly convinced we had picked the perfect place for our wedding. Not to mention Frank was a hoot and we had a good vibe from him. I also liked that the cocktail hour would be downstairs and the reception event took place in a separate room upstairs. The other place I looked at was similar to The Commons, but did not offer a separate room. Lastly, we knew we wanted to get married in the fall, but after Frank explained how they put holiday lights and wreaths on the front façade of the building, we decided to make it a late November wedding – just in time for the lights and wreaths to go up.
Its family owned and I loved that. I worked with Kristi and one of the wedding planners, Johanna, during my planning and they were nothing but warm, friendly, polite, courteous and attentive. I am one for the warm and fuzzy treatment, especially in planning my wedding and wanted everything to be perfect, of course. They help guide you along in the process and genuinely care about making sure your day is perfect - like it was their own. During the big day they are by your side throughout, but are not overbearing or pushy.
There were few occasions when I had a concern about something and when I did, my mind was put at ease...I know that is difficult when you're the bride, planning your big day, but my advice to brides is - do your research, read reviews and ask around. I was surprised to find out how many people/friends of friends that knew about The Commons and had great experiences there. All of that feedback helped put my mind at ease and I had less stress because of it.
The food was very good. During my planning process they switched to in house catering and at first I was surprised, however after I went to a tasting, I had no doubt the food was still going to be great - and it was.
Many of my family and friends commented to my now husband and I about how great the wedding was and how great the food was. We had a little under 100 guests - it was spacious with plenty of room for dancing, but still had that close/cozy feel. You did not feel like the room was too overwhelming for the crowd.

My wedding was wonderful and perfect - thanks to The Commons. I told them I want to get married again and again - well, ok, renew my vows - and I will be back to do it there :)

All I can say is WOW! The Commons was fantastic! Everyone that came to the wedding was just in awe of this place. It was very elegant, the staff was impeccable, the food was fabulous, and the attention to details was spot on. Thanks so much to Christy for all her help. I know that the Commons will be getting many calls for weddings from our friends. Thank you again. My daughters wedding and reception were outstanding!

I cannot say enough good things about The Commons. Right from the getgo Kristi was a wonderful help. She was great about answering any questions, and helping me find vendors. Our coordinator Shellie was just as fantastic. She made my wedding day an absolute dream. I honestly didn't have any stress on the day of my wedding, she made everything flow so easily...even the things that weren't perfect. The food was fantastic, and all of my guests have commented saying so. We are so happy we chose the commons for our wedding, it wouldn't have been as perfect anywhere else!

My father had a stoke in Feb 2009 and we almost got married in his room because we didn't know if he would survive. He did but with many problems. I had to rescheduled the food tasting in March and explained we wanted my dad there. June, a few days before the tasting my mom was hospitalized and she couldn't have the meal and they offered to make her broth. The tasting was suppose to be on the main floor and it was for everyone else. Kristi met us at the side door and her husband help me carry my father through the kitchen. They had a table waiting for us on the lower level. She made sure the meal provided was something my dad could eat. Kristi personally served us as she ran around checking on other brides. Shortly after, I received an email from her telling me they installed a chair on the back steps to get my father/guests up and down. She said she thought of me and had to tell me first. She didn't want me to worry about getting dad upstairs. I truely feel most venues would not have helped my family the way the The Commons did. Kristi and Frank allowed my family to come in and practice walking down the aisle with my dad before the rehearsal (because he was still learning how to walk). Since Feb the whole process was extremely stressful and they made our day very special. If there were any problems I never knew about them. If you need a place to get married look at The Commons. Kristi, Frank and the staff are amazing. The food was wonderful and the scallops wrapped in bacon are a must!!!!!! Kristi, along with the rest of the staff were quick to respond to emails and accommodate my family in any way possible. If you have any questions please ask Kristi for my phone number.


SBW

FABULOUS! FABULOUS! FABULOUS! I strongly reccomend. They went above and beyond andthing i could have asked for. I got so many compliments on every aspect of my wedding. They did not leave one stone unturned. Everything was perfect!!!

I absolutely loved my wedding day at the Commons. We were married this past April 2009. The food, the amosphere and especially the staff was superb. Kristi was so accomodating and professional. She kept the planning and the big day worry-free. The food couldn't have been better. Our guests raved at how delicious the meal was. I would highly recommend this faciility to anyone. A perfect day is what any bride and groom would want and that is what we got!!! THANK YOU.

I cannot begin to even begin writing a review......there are so many wonderful things to say I would need to write a book.
First of all this was a gay wedding. Not only were Kristi and Frank accomodating, the genders of the "bride and groom" had absolutely no bearing whatsoever...we were treated with courtesy, professionalism, respect from start to finish.
From the monent I walked into The Commons I knew this is where I wanted the wedding to be....it has New England charm without being too much and has a certain solemn elegance which is so rare....so far removed from your typical hotel wedding venue.
Kristi is a doll. She had so many wonderful recommendations, ideas and her thoughfulness still brings tears to both my husbands and my eyes.
Not a single detail was ommitted or overlooked.
Phone calls were promptly returned and all questions...no matter how minor or silly were answered.
The food was beyond superb. Forget the usual fare of weddings....this food was cuisine.....the presentation was fantastic and the taste was even better. We have alot of "foodies" in our crowd and all were pleasantly surprised at the quality and taste of the meal served.
We were treated like kings from the beginning right til the time we walked out the door the night of the wedding. Frank even helped us load up our car with the gifts and extra cake.....
I wish we could do it all over again.....and honestly there isnt much I would change...having The Commons and Frank and Kristi as part of the day made it what it was....we get comments to this day - 8 months later - about the wedding....it was that wonderful!

The Commons was the 3rd place we visited and we just happened to be visiting the day of the first snow fall in October 2006. We fell in love with the New England charm and elegance of the venue. We chose a winter wedding date December 2,2006. It was so easy working with the staff at The Commons, they were flexible with dates and time of our occasion and do not double book weddings on the same day. So our event was the main event for the day. The Commons is beautiful inside and out with lots of attention to detail.

During the planning process we had a minor set back with our bakery, there was an explosion near the bakery 6 days prior to our wedding and the bakery was badly damaged. The Commons was able to recommend another bakery that stepped in and did a great job! We never felt pressured to spend more on amenities and there were no surprise charges. We even got to chose our liquor vendor. A note on Topsfield, it is a dry town so if you want to serve liquor you must BYOB. The Commons will serve the alcohol and charge a flat fee per person, so it works out to be a pretty cheap open bar.

Our guests are still talking about the beauty of the hall and the food! On our wedding day we felt like royalty, every detail was looked after and I didn't have to worry about a thing! The wedding coordinator was so professional and wonderful! We loved this vendor and recommend it to anyway that wants a classy elegant wedding!

We blocked rooms at a nearby hotel and were able to get a shuttle service for our guests from the event venue to the hotel and back again free of charge to the guests.

This venue is absolutely stunning. If you're looking for a quintessential New England wedding this is definitely the place. The staff is extremely helpful and accommodating. The food is excellent and the chefs even created a special dish for my big day. You purchase you're own alcohol but the Commons provides the bar tenders and mixers. The entire event was more than worth every penny and my guests have provided nothing but rave reviews.

Stellar. That's all I can say. My wedding was so perfect I can't even describe it and it was mostly due to the fact that this venue, its owners, and its manager Johanna absolutely worked their tails off to make sure it was stunning. Everything was just as I had imagined it would be. The food was perfect, the service amazing, and the venue itself just shined. You couldn't ask for a better place. Just wonderful.

Johanna at The Commons 1854 is a godsend! From early planning meetings to the end of your reception she is there for you. Everything was set up as we had wanted, no detail was missed, and guests were commenting at how smoothly and efficiently she ran the whole event. It was great to feel like I didn't have to worry about anything during my reception! If you're looking for a classy, historic wedding venue where you'll feel like you're the only bride then this is the place to go.

In so many ways, The Commons 1854 is amazing. The owners, Kristi and Frank, and the General Manager and wedding coordinator extraordinaire, Johanna, are wonderful people who take pride in their work. They're friendly, responsive, professional, fun, love good food and wine, know what they're doing, and were a pleasure to deal with from the first day we saw the venue until the day we dropped by to say thank you after our wedding. The cost is reasonable and they don't try to up-sell a bunch of unnecessary stuff. To the contrary, they'll suggest ways to keep costs down and recommend vendors who are a fantastic value. The place is beautiful, we loved it and received so many compliments from our guests about what a wonderful venue it is.
Our only quibbles are so minor that we debated whether to mention them here. But, in the interest of full disclosure, here they are:
We didn't know this until after the wedding but they ran out of one of our entree choices. One of our bridesmaids was approached and asked if she would mind having the one she didn't order. Although she wasn't happy about it, she agreed. They then served her entire table that entree. I should note that not everyone at this table was a member of the wedding party and this bridesmaid had no idea she was agreeing on behalf of the table. Not an ideal way to handle this situation.
Again, not a big deal but there was a shortage of mirrors available. We're two brides who wanted to get ready in separate rooms and this meant one of us got a full-length mirror and the other a small mirror on top of a table. This was fine but when we returned from taking some pre-ceremony photos and wanted to touch up hair and makeup, the mirror had disappeared from the room where we could be out of sight from arriving guests.
Finally, despite assurances that the servers would find guests during cocktail hour with passed hors d'oeuvres, a significant number of our guests had no idea there was more than one or two passed hors d'oeuvres available. I don't think anyone went away hungry and the food that we ate was lovely so this is yet another very minor issue.
We loved our wedding and were so happy with The Commons 1854. We highly recommend it.

My husband and I are both vegetarian, and the menu that the Commons provided for us to select from was exceptional. Our entire wedding was vegetarian, and everyone loved how great the food was. Cristi and Johanna were wonderfully kind, efficient, and quick to take our phone calls and answer our questions. The only negative was the tasting - there are only a few days to taste, and as we live out of state, it was difficult to attend. Plus, the option of dishes to taste was limited. Still, we would highly recommend the Commons to other couples.

The Commons 1854 was Amazing. It was better then we ever though it would be. Johanna and Kristi are Awesome. They are sweet, accomodation, and professional. They would work around our work schedules to setup meetings. They have awesome suggestions. Really great people to work with. The commons is simple on the outside but absolutely stunning on the inside. The Food is fabulous. We had Chicken Florentine, Beef tendeloin and the Salmon. all very good. best salmon i have had. Wish they had a restaurant so good. The Staff is great. Everyone at our wedding had a great time. We have heard so many great comments from our family and friends about our wedding. We will definitely be recommending this venue! It's all about the details and The Commons do an Amazing Job.

Thanks for everything!

The staff at the Commons was amazing and made sure that every detail was taken care of on my wedding day. The venue was beautiful and the bridal coordinators, managers, waitstaff, and everyone else at the Commons was friendly and accommodating. When it came to the big day, I didn't have to worry about a thing - it was all taken care of by Johanna, Frank and Kristi. They were amazing!! I would recommend definitely reccommend this venue to anyone who wants a stress free, seamless, and beautiful event!

I don't even know where to begin, talking about our wedding at The Commons. First, we worked with Johanna and Kristi, who were the most responsive, responsible, hard-working people I have encountered in this entire process. I thought they did everything behind the scenes, but that night, Johanna was bringing out food, pouring champagne, and running around to make sure that everything was perfect - and perfect doesn't even describe how incredible our night at The Commons was.
The food was out of this world, and the venue was absolutely perfect. They worked with us in so many ways to make exactly what we wanted happen, and went as far as BUILDING an ice cream station for our "make your own sundae" bar, in lieu of a traditional cake. I'm an extremely detailed person, and very particular. Therefore, there were about 1,000,000 little details in our wedding, and I was almost positive something was going to be left out or forgotten, naturally. My husband and I are STILL talking about how flawless everything was, even better than we had planned or anticipated. It was a flawless night, and they made every single one of our dreams come true. I would recommend this site to everyone and anyone; the costs are EXTREMELY reasonable, especially for the service and attention you get. Unmatched. My only regret is not being able to relive it again, because it was absolutely the most perfect night of our lives - there is no other place in the world we would have rather gotten married.

What a fantastic venue for our wedding. The owners and employees are wonderful and helpful. Kristi helped me with almost all of my vendors. She helped me find people that I loved to work with and they all did a fantastic job. The site is beautiful. The staff are great and profesional. The food was fantastic. My night was magical. Johanna brough me through the whole night and was a great help. My guests had only wonderful things to say about the wedding. Thanks for a great day to remember.

My husband and I searched for the perfect place to have our May 2010 wedding and The Commons was IT! We are so incredibly happy with our decision to have our wedding there because the wedding was FLAWLESS! Johanna and Kristi are great to work with! They are willing to meet with you and communicate via phone and e-mail essentially whenever you want! I always felt comfortable throughout the wedding planning process because I knew we were in good hands. Their recommendations for vendors are very helpful and if you go with their recommended vendors you know you are getting the best of the best!

The day of the wedding went to incredibly smoothly that I 100% enjoyed myself and did not worry about a thing! Johanna was amazing! I honestly do not know how she does it all! Our guests raved about our wedding for weeks after and my sister already has said she wants to have her wedding reception there. The building itself is absoultely gorgeous, the food is so delicious and the staff are make it all come together. I cannot say enough about The Commons- it is the most magical place to have your wedding!

The Commons was absolutely amazing! They walked us through every little detail and had everything set-up and ready to go for us. I literally did not have one problem arise on our wedding day! The professionalism is above and beyond. The facility is beautiful and our guests have not stopped talking about how good the food was. I highly recommend The Commons!

The venue and catering was everything The Commons promised it would be and more. The services and suggestions provided by Johanna and Frank were always helpful. On the day of the Wedding everything ran smoothly, and our guests couldn't stop raving about the service of the staff, the quality of the food, and the elegance of the venue! People are still calling us about it 2 months later!! We had 200 guests and the room size kept it intimate. The dance floor was packed- and everyone had a blast! Having been to many venues, The Commons is the most beautiful place around, and you can be confident everyone will have a good meal :) I couldn't have found a better place, they keep their brides, grooms, and guests happy!!

I can't recommend the Commons any higher. Everything was great.

Overall, my wedding at The Commons was wonderful. It is such a stunning venue... everyone had a blast! The food was great as well. There was a miscommunication concerning my dress (it was accidentally left on a couch for 1/2 a day and got very wrinkled), but Frank stepped right in and went the extra mile to ensure I was a happy bride! He immediately went and bought a brand new ironing board and steamer and called all the dress boutiques in the area to find out how to properly fix the wrinkles. Frank really goes out of his way to make sure everyone is pleased. You can tell he takes great pride in his work! His staff is excellent, as well.

When we first looked at The Commons, I was blown away. It is a gorgeous facility and the staff was so welcoming. Though we looked at many venues, we kept coming back to The Commons. For us, it would provide both a ceremony and venue location that would allow our guests the "luxury" of not needing to drive all over creation. The ceremony took place upstairs in the gorgeous ballroom, followed by a cocktail hour downstairs. During cocktail hour, the staff worked their magic and transformed the room in to the reception. Both setups were STUNNING. A big part of my decision to go with The Commons was also because of the Coordinator, Tamie. She was poised, confident, and kept me 100% calm on the big day because I knew she was taking care of every little detail. All I had to do was show up. Sadly, Tamie will no longer be working with The Commons in order to take a job closer to her hometown (and with five children, who wouldn't!?). That said, the owners, Frank and Kristi, are equally as accommodating and answered every single one of the THOUSANDS of questions I threw at them throughout the planning process. As far as the service and food - it was flawless. The staff was polite, professional, and catered to the bride, groom, and our guests like we were the most important people in the world. And the food was DEVINE. I have been to many weddings, and even when the food is good... I have NEVER had food so delicious. The beef tenderloin was melt in your mouth good, and the sole stuffed with crabmeat (my favorite dish ever!) was to die for. You better believe I parked myself in my chair and made sure I ate every bite on my plate!!! Gorgeous setting, delicious food, incredible staff.

It was a beautiful space and provided for a a GREAT party, having everyone feel included.

I fell in love with The Commons the moment I walked in the door. Tami and Kristi were wonderful - they literally took care of everything for me. All I had to do was give them the names of all of my vendors and they coordinated everything. I was a little nervous when I visited The Commons a few days before my wedding because they were painting. But they assured me that everything was going to be 100% ready for my big day - and it was! Kristi and Tami had many great suggestions - alcohol vendors, rehearsal dinner places, etc. They really made planning a wedding easy - I can't thank them enough!

I had the most amazing wedding at Topsfield Commons... the facility is absolutely stunning.
The Pros:
- The building has a charming, old New England with a touch of modern class kind of style.
- The staff is friendly, gracious and very professional. Calls/e-mails are returned promptly, they're willing to work with your ideas and give their own suggestions, and I always felt like I was their first priority.
- You bring in your own liquor (this can be a pro and a con, but it actually comes out cheaper because you can buy what you think you'll need and return unopened containers to the bottle shop)
- Flexibility of floor plans - there isn't one specific dance floor, etc., so you can be creative.

The Cons:
- Not close to a hotel - if you're having a huge, heavy-drinking affair, you may drop another $600 for a shuttle.
- The prices are climbing... and climbing.... they are booked solid, and even a few months after I booked my reception, prices had gone up several hundred dollars in rental fees and three dollars per entree. NOTE-
- They are becoming more and more strict about allowing outside vendors. I wanted a chocolate fountain, but the only one I could have used would have run me over $1,000, so I skipped it. In a way, the outside vendor thing helps protect you from sketchy folks, but it costs a lot more and can limit your choices.
- Not handicapped accessible.

In any case, I had several people say that it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever attended! And, of course, I thought the whole day was incredibly beautiful : )

I found the women I worked with as my "wedding coordinator" to be very unprofessional. There were a lot of little things that added up.

While doing a walk-through with how the hall would be setup, we went over details. They told me certain decorations would be gone and strings of lights fixed but they were not. During the walk-through of the ceremony and reception, my coordinator was rude to my guests and offered very little direction.

On the wedding date it was like no one was there to help. The priest and harpest were late because of rain. The Commons had their phone numbers but were no where to be found for help and left the calls up to my husband and best man.

When my husband and party were walking to the stage for the ceremony, they found the unity candle on the stage but it was not lit. My husband's best man had to run to the audience to find a lighter from a guest.

It wasn't too bad but the food was definitely late coming out.

At the end of the night, we finally found our coordinator sitting and eating with the staff. In the meantime, our limo to pick us up for the night has been sitting outside calling the Commons because we were running late. Surprise because no one told us the time.

I hope the coordinator I had does not work there anymore and the quality has improved because the place itself was very pretty and having the wedding and reception at the same place is very convenient.

The Commons is an EXCEPTIONAL wedding venue. The beautiful venue, owners, staff and chef are all superb. Bella Sera Bridal is proud to work with such a well-established and well-run venue. We have recommended The Commons to many brides in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future!

The nice atmosfere, the smiling staff, the delicious food are all second to none!

We love photographing at the Commons 1854. There are endless spots to get beautiful photos. Kristie, Frank, Johanna and the rest of the crew are the best in the business and make the brides and grooms feel at home.

As a vendor, I've worked in a wide variety of wedding venues. The classic New England charm of this gorgeous historical building is unsurpassed! The food, service and atmosphere are superb. Check it out!

One of the most beautiful Venues around, The Commons 1854 in Topsfield really cares for their clients. My experience with the Commons comes both as a Prefered Vendor and as a client. As a customer, Kristi and Frank really take client serivce to a new level! By the second meeting, I felt like family! As a vendor, they are very organized and attention to detail is top priority! The Commons 18540is the Premier North Shore Wedding Venue and everyone should check it out!

By Far - One of the most unique, cared for, attention to detail wedding facilities in Massachusetts. They set a new standard for "Quality" when it comes to service at your wedding !

Kristi and Frank along with their all-star team are true perfectionists when it comes to hosting an amazing wedding. The Commons is a stunning venue offering elegance, charm and style. The food is always amazing, and most of all they make you feel like family. They are warm and passionate, and this is evident in the top quality of their work. Call them now for a tour and you'll see for yourself.

The Commons is an elegant location and a wonderful choice to celebrate your wedding! Every wedding I have ever photographed at the Commons has been orchestrated very smoothly.